[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 246]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO YOLANDA CARILLO

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 18, 2013

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an 
individual whose dedication and contributions to the community are 
exceptional. Corona and Norco have been fortunate to have dynamic and 
dedicated community leaders who willingly and unselfishly give their 
time and talent and make their communities a better place to live and 
work. Yolanda Carillo is one of these individuals. On January 19, 2013, 
Yolanda will be honored as the ``Citizen of the Year'' at the Greater 
Corona Valley Chamber of Commerce Installation and Awards Gala.
  Yolanda holds a dual Masters of Science degree in Organizational 
Leadership and Community Psychology, and a Bachelor of Science degree 
in Human Services. She previously taught at a four year college 
institution and is a proud holder of a Child Development Program 
Administrator Certificate. Currently, Yolanda serves as the Chief 
Executive Officer (CEO) of the Corona-Norco Family YMCA, a post she has 
held since 1997. She is a highly motivated community builder and 
hardworking professional with proven administrative and organizational 
abilities. Yolanda is an effective leader with a natural ability to 
organize the efforts and goodwill of others. She is an enthusiastic 
team builder who enjoys the challenge of researching and analyzing to 
find viable solutions to improve the lives of our children, families 
and communities.
  Yolanda's vision has grown from one YMCA site with 12 employees to 
today's YMCA of nine program sites with more than 85 employees. At the 
same time, she has assisted children who live in poverty by securing 
grants worth millions of dollars from foundations, corporations, city, 
county, state and federal governments to establish programs for 
disadvantaged preschool, elementary, middle and high school students. 
Yolanda has also partnered with school districts, city, county and 
state Departments of Education as well as colleges, businesses and 
corporate sponsors to help underprivileged youth. The Corona-Norco 
Family YMCA under Yolanda's leadership has continued the successful 
partnership with the Calvert Foundation in sponsoring the Annual Ira D. 
``Cal'' Calvert Distinguished Service Awards Dinner honoring 
exceptional community volunteers.
  In addition to the YMCA, Yolanda is a member of many other community 
organizations and serves on multiple boards whose programs help 
children in our area. She is the City of Corona Planning Commissioner 
and Woman's Improvement Club Treasurer, and serves on the Hispanic 
Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Riverside Community College 
District Child Development Department Advisory Board, Riverside-Corona 
Navy League Council Board, United Neighbors Involving Today's Youth 
(UNITY) Board and Corona Police Community Partnership Association 
Board. She is a member of the Corona Rotary Club and is the immediate 
past State Board Chair of the California Child Development 
Administrators Association.
  In light of all Yolanda has done for Corona and Norco, the Greater 
Corona Valley Chamber of Commerce named Yolanda their Citizen of the 
Year. Yolanda's tireless passion for community service has contributed 
immensely to the betterment of the Inland Empire and especially our 
community's children. She has been the heart and soul of many community 
organizations and events and I am proud to call her a fellow community 
member, American and friend. I know that many community members are 
grateful for her service and salute her as she receives this 
prestigious award.

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